Decompression induced crystallization of basaltic andesite magma: constraints on the eruption of Arenal volcano, Costa Rica

Abstract

Continuously active since 1968, Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica has undergone various eruption styles. The deposited magmas, whereas geochemically similar, show a complex history of magma chamber processes, which are not fully understood. The intricate mixing histories of the phenocrysts and lack of oxide pairs have made determination of the volatile content and oxygen fugacity difficult by conventional methods. Phase equilibria experiments were carried out between 200-50 MPa and 940-1075°C in a TZM furnace at fO₂ of NNO and water saturation. Time in the furnace varied from 7 to 30 hours at constant pressure and temperature. Examination of the natural and experimental phase assemblages constrained the probable pre-eruptive conditions for Arenal magmas to be 50-80 MPa and 950-1040°C. For decompression experiments, the sample was initially held at two conditions 200MPa and 950°C and 60MPa and 1050°C. The samples were then decompressed by 5-30 MPa pressure steps held for 20 seconds to 8 hours until 20 MPa was reached, approximating average decompression rates of 0.25, 0.025, and 0.0013 MPa/s. Textures formed in the experiments and seen in the natural samples constrain the probable ascent rate of the Arenal magma to 0.05 mls. The ascent rate increases as explosivity increases.